Sports

Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu scores in Turkey after Eagles playoff snub

Published

3 months ago

November 9, 2025

Trabzonspor striker Paul Onuachu scored hours after being snubbed for Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup African playoff squad announced on Saturday.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The 30-year-old’s omission came as a major surprise, particularly as he has scored eight league goals this season and recently won the Turkish Super Lig Player of the Month award for October.

His absence, despite being the top-scoring Nigerian in Europe’s major leagues, raised eyebrows given Nigeria’s limited striking options beyond Victor Osimhen.

Hours after the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the 24-man squad for this month’s playoffs in Morocco, Onuachu proved his worth by scoring Trabzonspor’s only goal in their 1-1 draw against Alanyaspor on Saturday.

The striker received a pass from Mustafa Eskihellac in front of the box in the 15th minute, used a beautiful piece of skill to get past his markers and poked the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.

Inter Milan loanee Ebenezer Akinsanmiro was another notable absentee from the squad announced by head coach Eric Chelle ahead of the semi-final clash with Gabon at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat on November 13.

Akinsanmiro, currently on loan at Pisa from Inter Milan, was overlooked despite a string of fine performances in Serie B, where he has been praised for his energy, creativity and composure on the ball.

Goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Chidera Ejuke were among the notable returnees in the squad.

The Super Eagles will need to win that match to reach the final three days later, where they could face either Cameroon or DR Congo for a place in the inter-confederation playoffs.

Okoye’s inclusion was widely anticipated. The Udinese shot-stopper is back in the national fold for the first time since June.

His recall follows sustained calls for his reinstatement after recent doubts surrounding Stanley Nwabali’s consistency. The 26-year-old has re-established himself as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper, putting in several strong performances since returning from a two-month suspension in July for breaching sporting conduct rules.

His return to form, highlighted by a superb display that ended Atalanta’s unbeaten run last weekend, has been central to his comeback.

In defence, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Chidozie Awaziem and Semi Ajayi were all named. Osayi-Samuel returns after recovering from a muscle injury that sidelined him during the last international window. The Birmingham City full-back has regained full fitness, featuring in recent Championship fixtures and offering Nigeria added stability down the right flank.

Ajayi, however, remains suspended for the semi-final against Gabon after picking up two yellow cards during the group stage against Lesotho and Benin, but was still called up to the squad, a sign of his importance to the team’s defensive setup. Nantes defender Awaziem also returns after missing recent windows, whilst captain William Troost-Ekong and Fulham’s Calvin Bassey maintain their places.

In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf and Alex Iwobi retain their positions, joined by Club Brugge’s Raphael Onyedika, who returns after recovering from a hamstring injury.

The 24-year-old featured for Brugge in their 2-1 win over Dender and impressed against Barcelona in a six-goal thriller that earned him a standing ovation. His return offers Nigeria a technically sound and defensively assured option in midfield.

Ejuke’s inclusion marks his first return to the national team since October 2024. The attack also includes current Africa Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Tolu Arokodare, Akor Adams and Olusegun Olakunle, providing depth across wide and central areas.

Nigeria are aiming to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2018 after missing out on the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

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Sports

Not Arsenal: Semi Ajayi’s old club target Super Eagles star Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 week ago

January 26, 2026

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Super Eagles midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has emerged as a top target for Championship side West Bromwich Albion, Soccernet.ng reports.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The Baggies are looking to bolster their midfield during the January window to sustain their push for promotion to the Premier League.

Currently, West Brom find themselves in 19 position on the Championship table, but they are looking to plug the holes in the team.

Asides from their defensive concerns, the Baggies have struggled for creativity and clinical finishing in the final third.

With 32 goals in 29 games, their output is among the lowest in the top 20 teams. However, with 17 games remaining, the club remains firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot.

According to West Brom Xtra, the club has identified Dele-Bashiru as a key target to solve these issues.

The Super Eagles star is a dynamic attacking midfielder known for his high work rate and ability to contribute goals from deep. His arrival would provide a significant boost to Carlos Corberán’s squad.

Why It Will Be Tough To Get Dele-Bashiru’s Signature
While Dele-Bashiru would be a massive coup for West Brom, getting a deal will be complicated. He is currently on the books at Serie A side Lazio, and the 24-year-old has experienced a turbulent tenure since arriving in Italy two years ago.

Dele-Bashiru has endured inconsistent playing time due to a combination of tactical shifts and minor injuries.

Under manager Maurizio Sarri, he has struggled to cement himself as an indispensable member of the starting XI.

The main challenge for West Brom will likely be in the prestige gap; moving from a top-tier Italian side to the English second tier is often viewed as a step down.

However, the lure of regular football and a path back to the Premier League could be persuasive.

Financially, the deal is feasible. Dele-Bashiru is valued between €7–10 million, which is an okay price point for the Baggies.

If the move materializes, he will join the list of Super Eagles stars to have represented the club, including Semi Ajayi and the legendary Peter Odemwingie.

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Sports

La Liga: Akor Adams surpasses Rashidi Yekini as Sevilla climb away from trouble

Published

1 week ago

January 26, 2026

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Adams Akor broke new ground in Nigerian football history on Saturday night as his penalty helped Sevilla to a 2-1 comeback win over Athletic Club and secured the club’s first La Liga victory of 2026, Soccernet.ng reports.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The Super Eagles striker struck in the second half at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán to take his personal tally in Spain’s top flight to six goals, a figure that now places him 11th on the list of Nigeria’s all-time La Liga scorers.

It was Adams’ third goal in two matches since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Nigeria claim the bronze medal, and another reminder of his growing importance to Matías Almeyda’s side.

More significantly, the goal carried historical weight. With six La Liga strikes, Adams has now moved ahead of legendary Super Eagles forward Rashidi Yekini, who scored three times in the competition, and has also overtaken the marks set by Bartholomew Ogbeche (three) and Christantus Uche (five).

While Adams still has a long way to go to threaten the towering figures of Christopher Ohenhen (48 goals), Finidi George (43) and Ikechukwu Uche (43), his steady progress is a pointer to how quickly he is carving out his own place in Nigerian football’s European story.

Comeback win lifts Akor Adams’ Sevilla up the table
The match itself was a tight, nervy affair between two sides separated by little in the table.

Athletic Club struck first in the 40th minute through Robert Navarro, but Sevilla hit back almost immediately when Gerard Fernández levelled the score just two minutes later to send both teams into the break on equal terms.

Ten minutes after the restart came the decisive moment. Yuri Berchiche was penalised for a handball in the box, and after a VAR check confirmed the offence, Adams stepped up and calmly rolled the penalty into the bottom-left corner to complete the turnaround.

Athletic Club pushed hard for an equaliser, but Sevilla held their shape and saw out the contest, condemning the visitors to their seventh away defeat in 11 league matches this season.

The victory lifts Sevilla above Athletic into 11th place. Both sides are now on 24 points after 21 games, but Sevilla’s superior goal difference gives them the edge and, crucially, leaves them five points clear of the relegation zone.

For Adams, it also marks his most productive La Liga campaign so far, matching the momentum he showed during the 2023-24 season at Montpellier, when he scored eight league goals.

Sevilla now travel to face Mallorca on Monday, February 2, while Athletic Club turn their attention to Europe, hosting Sporting CP in the Champions League.

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Sports

WATCH: Victor Osimhen sets new Galatasaray milestone in Fatih Karagumruk win

Published

1 week ago

January 26, 2026

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Victor Osimhen became the fastest player to reach 50 goals in Galatasaray’s history as the Turkish champions claimed a 3-1 away win at Fatih Karagumruk on Saturday night, Soccernet.ng reports.....TAP TO CONTINUE READING

The Nigeria striker reached the landmark in just 59 appearances when he scored the third goal of the game, capping another strong display from the league leaders.

Victor Osimhen’s latest strike also confirmed his growing status as one of the most important players in the club’s recent history.

Galatasaray went into the match looking to protect their lead at the top of the Super Lig and made the perfect start. Inside the opening minute, Gabriel Sara punished a mistake from the home side while they tried to play out from defence, calmly finishing to give the visitors an early advantage.

Karagumruk struggled to create chances but made the most of their best moment in the first half. In the 27th minute, Serginho led a quick counter-attack before squaring the ball for Kalayci, who curled a fine shot into the top corner to level the score with what turned out to be the hosts’ only effort on target before the break.

Victor Osimhen seals victory and makes history
Galatasaray came out with more control after half-time and soon regained the lead. A patient move ended with Rolland Sallai sending in a cross, and Gabriel Sara arrived at the right time to head home his second goal of the night and make it 2-1.

Four minutes later, the moment everyone was waiting for arrived. Osimhen controlled a cross from Gündoğan with his chest inside the box and fired a powerful shot into the roof of the net. It was his 50th goal for the club and one that put the result beyond doubt.

The win keeps Galatasaray top of the Super Lig table with 46 points, four clear of second-placed Fenerbahçe, who still have a game in hand. Karagumruk, meanwhile, remain bottom of the standings with just nine points from 19 matches.

Osimhen’s goal was his seventh in the league this season and his 13th in all competitions in 18 appearances. Last season, he scored 37 goals in 41 games and played a key role as Galatasaray won both the Super Lig title and the Turkish Cup. Once again, he proved he is a player who delivers on the biggest nights.